Pinking Sort of Noise
Discussion
I'm not too worried about this (car's fairly new and under warranty) but would appreciate some advice.
The car's one of the last Griffiths and it's started to make a 'pinking' kind of noise when the revs get around the 4-5000 mark.
I'm running the car on Optimax although I was stuck a couple of tankfills ago and had to put in 95RON.
Car mechanics is not my specialty but I thought pinking tended to occur at lower revs rather than high revs.
Apart from this clattering the car's going great. Should I just ignore it and hope it goes away after a couple more fill ups of Optimax. Wonder whether it's worth a 200 mile round trip to the dealer or not.
Any advice much appreciated.
Paul
The car's one of the last Griffiths and it's started to make a 'pinking' kind of noise when the revs get around the 4-5000 mark.
I'm running the car on Optimax although I was stuck a couple of tankfills ago and had to put in 95RON.
Car mechanics is not my specialty but I thought pinking tended to occur at lower revs rather than high revs.
Apart from this clattering the car's going great. Should I just ignore it and hope it goes away after a couple more fill ups of Optimax. Wonder whether it's worth a 200 mile round trip to the dealer or not.
Any advice much appreciated.
Paul
Paul,
I think this has happened to a few others who have been using Optimax only and gone back to 95/97RON (can't think why, though). In each case after a few tankfulls of Optimax the pinking ceased. Do a search on Optimax and you should get a few threads which highlight this.
Otherwise, enjoy!
Dan.
I think this has happened to a few others who have been using Optimax only and gone back to 95/97RON (can't think why, though). In each case after a few tankfulls of Optimax the pinking ceased. Do a search on Optimax and you should get a few threads which highlight this.
Otherwise, enjoy!
Dan.
Paul
I've had the same on my '96. Even with Optimax in the tank it does, on occasion, pink. But not at anything under 5000 rpm and only when under load.
I wouldn't be unduly ocncerned unless there's laboured and prolonged pinking which can do damage. Maybe this time run it down to the fumes in the petrol tank and then fill up with Optimax.
Whatever you do don't start to reduce your max rpm and drive it like a Diesel Astravan...
I haven't seen you for ages. Everything going okay? Will you be along at Duxford?
Angus
I've had the same on my '96. Even with Optimax in the tank it does, on occasion, pink. But not at anything under 5000 rpm and only when under load.
I wouldn't be unduly ocncerned unless there's laboured and prolonged pinking which can do damage. Maybe this time run it down to the fumes in the petrol tank and then fill up with Optimax.
Whatever you do don't start to reduce your max rpm and drive it like a Diesel Astravan...
I haven't seen you for ages. Everything going okay? Will you be along at Duxford?
Angus
I believe the ECU has a memory that can take a while to adjust. So maybe if your car got used to running on 97RON fillet steak, then you gave it 95RON dogfood, it made a fuss... Mine normally gets dogfood and is generally quite happy, though I put Super in yesterday in readiness for Duxford. I think since then I can feel it 'champing at the bit' whilst travelling at 40 in a line of traffic!
quote:
I believe the ECU has a memory that can take a while to adjust. So maybe if your car got used to running on 97RON fillet steak, then you gave it 95RON dogfood, it made a fuss... Mine normally gets dogfood and is generally quite happy, though I put Super in yesterday in readiness for Duxford. I think since then I can feel it 'champing at the bit' whilst travelling at 40 in a line of traffic!
Simpo One
Been reading your posts for sometime now and I like your sense of humour. I'll try to say hello at Duxford.
Paul
quote:
If you're experiencing pinking with optimax (allegedly 98.6 RON) then there's something wrong with your engine - either coked up or screwed ignition/compression. It should run fine on 95.
I would take it back to your dealer and let them have a look at it.
danny
Not sure I agree with you Danny. Minor advances in ignition and poor petrol (who knows what's in those underground tanks these days) and pinking is the obvious symptom. With the ECU memory and fuel mapping pinkin is to be expected when changing fuel ratings. Ordinarily I wouldn't worry unless is is prolonged pinking. I don't reckon there's a TVR on the planet that hasn't had some pinking in its time.
quote:I'm with Danny on this one - if it's pinking on Optimax, get someone to look at it. It may be one of many things, including ignition timing & cam timing. My Chimaera has never pinked to my knowledge, and yes I don't drive like a granny, and yes I have noticed it in other people's cars. I would err on the side of caution, as pinking (even a small amount) can cause premature engine wear/destruction.
quote:
If you're experiencing pinking with optimax (allegedly 98.6 RON) then there's something wrong with your engine - either coked up or screwed ignition/compression. It should run fine on 95.
I would take it back to your dealer and let them have a look at it.
danny
Not sure I agree with you Danny. Minor advances in ignition and poor petrol (who knows what's in those underground tanks these days) and pinking is the obvious symptom. With the ECU memory and fuel mapping pinking is to be expected when changing fuel ratings. Ordinarily I wouldn't worry unless is is prolonged pinking. I don't reckon there's a TVR on the planet that hasn't had some pinking in its time.
Also, there is no knock sensor on the engine, so I'm not convinced the ECU makes any changes whatsoever when running on different Octane fuels.
cheers,
Craig
quote:
I believe the ECU has a memory that can take a while to adjust. So maybe if your car got used to running on 97RON fillet steak, then you gave it 95RON dogfood, it made a fuss... Mine normally gets dogfood and is generally quite happy, though I put Super in yesterday in readiness for Duxford. I think since then I can feel it 'champing at the bit' whilst travelling at 40 in a line of traffic!
The ECU does adapt the fuel settings but it can't cope with octane changes and assumes that you have given it the right fuel. If the car needs to run on UL, it needs to be adjusted/chipped or modified depending on how fussy the engine is.
Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk
I was so impressed with Optimax in the TVR I have started to use it in my Alfa 156.I had to put normal fuel in the other week and I thought the car was pinking afterwards.Might just be pyschological but the pinking dissappeared when I revereted to Optimax.I have heard stories about ECUs which adapt to the way the car is driven maybe this is answer and as you say it is slow to update.Is this why some cerberas are running a switch to alter fuel grades.
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